Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1887-06-11
THE EAST COMING.
Letter from H. Nj. Van Amman, With Some
Practical Suggestions.
CHICAGO, June 4, 1887.

CHICAGO, June 4, 1887.
Ems RECORD UNION During my recent
visit TO California my time was so limited
was unable to see as much OF your city as
desired, but l noticed an activity among
your people, and an earnest effort seemed
TO be desired among your business men to
promote the general welfare which is
highly commendable. thought at the
time / was present at the organization of
your City Improvement Committee that
your people were taking a step in the right
direction.
l have been much of the time for the
past few months talking and correspond
ing with parties throughout the North
western States concerning California, and
tell you that they are coming by thousands
to the Golden State. The fearfully cold
winters here and blizzards and storms
which rush over the vast Northwestern
Territory for several months in the year.
have set men of intelligence to thinking,
and when they come to know what a fine
climate is found in California they wish TO
60 there.
The Southern Pacific Company is adyer-
Using California literally, and the very
best and most attractive printed matter is
thoroughly circulated among people who
desire information. The thirty or forty
millions of people living in the North
western States and Territories are learning
the fact that California is a good country TO
inhabit, and the carving capacity of the
Southern Pacific Company will this fall
and winter be taxed 70 its utmost in trans
porting passengers to California. The rail
road people are doing a noble work for the
State, and should be supported thoroughly
by your people in their efforts.
1t is necessary that you be prepared to
receive the multitude that is coming. Do
not permit avarice or greed to drive away
those who come seeking homes. Letthose
who have land for sale dispose of it at fair
price. | cannot tell a farmer from Michi-
gan, Ohio, or Minnesota to sell his land at
$50. SO or 500 per acre and go out there
and pay the same price for other lard. In
vain l talk the climate to him; in vain |
inform him of the products of the soil. In
large number of cases they can't and
won't understand it. So it is necessary
that small or medium-sized farms be sold
these newcomers at fair prices.
l am satisfied that none of us. even in
California, are posted thoroughly about the
resources or capacity of the country. In
my trip down the San Joaquin valley
recently found land in Kern county, south
of Tulare Lake, which, in quality of soil,
climatic advantages, etc, will compare
favorably with the most favored locality in
California. | saw water from artesian
wells flowing out clear, pure and bright
saw the land covered with verdure, and no
evidences OF desert, such as l had supposed
existed in that locality. l rode for miles
over the level plains on land entirely free
from hog wallow - | saw very little
alkali lands, although there are some
tracts white with it, but l found the condi-
tons of climate and soil favorable for the
maintenance of thousands of people, and
through the vista of the near future |
could see this vast plain, covered with the
vine and the fruit tree and the prosperous.
happy homes of contented people.
| know that the lands in the Sacramento
valley will be utilized soon by settlers. and
there is much near your city which will be
settled on before long 1t is the duty
OF your citizens to prepare for these people
and make things as pleasant as possible
for them when they come. When large
trains of excursionists are coming. meet
them at the depot with fruits and flowers,
and, above all, with that hearty greeting
which Californians know so well how to do.
am trying in my feeble way to do all
can to thoroughly advertise you and to
send forward the people At least every
two weeks hereafter the overland train
from the East will be obliged to run in
two sections, and sometimes more. to carry
tie passengers, so look out for them. and
your outlying districts will soon be filled
with industrious, intelligent people. Yours
truly, II. NJ. VAN ARMAN.